Principal Civil / Structural Engineer

Overview of the role

Our Nuclear, Defence, and Civil division is expanding, and we are looking for a Principal Civil / Structural Engineer to join our fast growing team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across defence, nuclear, energy and infrastructure sectors. You will play a key role in supporting both local clients and our wider team across the UK and Europe, with a strong pipeline of work to offer excellent opportunities for professional growth and career development.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to projects at all stages, from feasibility and concept design to detailed engineering, planning support, construction and commissioning.
• Collaborate on multi‑disciplinary projects, working closely with colleagues across Mott MacDonald and engaging with external clients and stakeholders to develop cost‑effective infrastructure solutions.
• Oversee and/or undertake civil engineering design and checks for a wide range of energy, defence and infrastructure projects.
• Prepare high‑quality technical documentation, specifications and minimum functional requirements for civil engineering aspects of projects.
• Conduct civil inspections of infrastructure assets across the UK to support asset maintenance and life extension, producing detailed reports and recommendations.
• Provide strategic and technical advice to clients, ensuring solutions align with their project needs and objectives.
• Undertake site and client office visits as required by project demands.
• Maintain strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction and identifying and promoting opportunities for future collaboration.
• Develop, monitor and manage project schedules and costs, ensuring deliverables are met.
• Support project management, control and administration in line with your experience level.
• Play a key role in mentoring and developing junior staff, helping to foster a strong and inclusive team culture.

Candidate specification

• Chartered Engineer with experience in the energy sector or similar regulated industries.
• Experience in regulated environments, such as nuclear or defence.
• Strong technical expertise and a track record of delivering engineering solutions to a high standard.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving and the ability to adapt to new challenges within a fast‑moving project environment.

Please note that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

Benefits

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4× your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6× your salary.
• Income protection scheme providing a financial benefit and support for long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• Annual bonus schemes in line with the company’s success.

Employee ownership

• No external investors, giving a culture of shared success.
• Employees have a stake and a voice, directly connected to performance via bonuses.
• Career growth leads to increased ownership.
• Direct pathway to ownership for senior roles from day one.
• Opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• Wellbeing support via a comprehensive wellbeing programme, including for family.
• Flex salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, extendable to family.

Lifestyle

• Minimum 33‑35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays, with a flexible benefits programme for buying or selling leave.
• Holiday entitlement increases to a minimum of 35 days after five years of service.
• Employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Shared parental leave matches maternity leave, paying up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• Opportunities to enhance technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training and self‑development options.

Networks, communities and social outcomes

• Wide range of groups including Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race, ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities.
• Contributing to social outcomes within communities.